Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Columbus 2020 to fund a community direct air service performance incentive program. Understanding the importance of direct air service for economic development of the community, this program is designed to allow the community to provide incentives to companies partnering with the community to provide new direct flight service to key markets.
This community direct air service performance incentive program is the centerpiece of the efforts of the Jobs Expansion and Transportation (“JET”) Task Force, created by Mayor Coleman in 2014. Guided by the JET Task Force efforts, Columbus 2020 led a community effort to secure a commitment by Southwest Airlines to begin non-stop service to Oakland, California in August, 2015. This commitment will be supported by a community partnership among The City of Columbus, Franklin County, and Columbus 2020. It is anticipated that this new daily air service route to the West Coast could generate $20 million in economic impact to the Columbus Region.
Under this community partnership, the City has committed $1,200,000.00, and Franklin County has pledged $500,000 toward this program. Columbus 2020 will use these funds, under an agreement with the City and County, to enter into performance-based contracts with participating airlines. The City anticipates that the first contract will be with Southwest Airlines.
The $1.2 million City commitment is budgeted and available within the 2015 General Fund. Columbus 2020 was chosen to administer this program given its role in providing economic development strategies to the City of Columbus and its role in negotiating the commitment with Southwest Airlines in partnership with the JET Task Force.
Columbus 2020, Contract Compliance Number: 27-1509190, Expiration Date: 03/19/2016
Emergency action is requested in order to facilitate the resulting creation ...
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